Why not ban smoking outright?

Question

Instead of raising taxes on it and sueing big tobacco and banning it in all public places?

I'm actually against the smoking nazis - there is a certain bold hypocracy though that those so ardently against it won't just ban it.

Hillary's family was behind the big tobacco lawsuits and got buttloads of money from them.

Answer 1

I think the government should but out of the debate. Banning smoking is futile, Just as banning alcohol was a disaster during prohibition.

If you ban cigarettes the demand for them would raise the price and demand far higher than it is right now. Legalize all drugs and alcohol, tax them if you must to fund education.

Let the market sort out where smoking will be allowed and won't be allowed. If a business see that banning smoking will get him a better clientel then he will ban smoking.

The government does not sue big tobacco private parties do. And I think a moratorium should be placed on anyone born latter than 1970.

They should not be allowed to sue, because they have been bombarded with the information that smoking is bad for you for years, if they still went and started smoking that is their own fault.

If people stop buying tobacco then big tobacco companies will disappear and the whole issue will be moot. Education works, we have seen a dramatic drop in the number of people smoking when education has been prominent.

So educate, don't regulate.

Answer 2

It's the law here in Miami (except for in some bars). I think going out is much more enjoyable now that I don't have to stink like an ashtray just because I walked into a restaurant/bar. Also, it's not taking away a person's right to smoke, just the location.

Answer 3

Anything else you'd like to ban? Go ahead and list other personal choices you would like to get rid of. Its a downhill slide that never stops. They don't like it in the middle east. And they ban pretty much whatever they want. So that may be a place you'd consider living.
What we really need are fewer laws inhibiting freedom. We need to get rid of some of the ridiculous things we currently have in place.

Answer 4

you must be a democrat, at least a liberal... why not take away our right to eat what we want, when we want while you're at !!!

In NH democrats have been hard at work doing that: NH used to be the only state that 18+ didn't have to wear seatbelts, not anymore! and in bars, they banned smoking... my opion: if people want to be stupid... let them !! And heck, while they are busy making all these laws, why not change the modo too, because it certainly isn't live free or die anymore!! (this would be a result of all the dems moving up from mass and trying to change our state! If you are reading this, and you moved from mass to nh.. GO HOME !! WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE !!!)

Answer 5

Why? If it is because of pollution, we need to ban vehicles and companies that put pollution in the air. If it is because you don't like it and think it is disgusting, do we want to ban fat people at all you can eat restaurants? If you think it is causing you cancer, stay away from it. Most public places don't allow it. If it is just because you are intolerant, well, I really don't know what to tell you.

Answer 6

Because prohibition doesn't work. Banning just creates illegal black market activity. Look at marijuana. Making it illegal doesn't stop it's sale and distribution.

Cigarettes wouldn't go away, they would become illegal. Smokers and cigarette dealers would become criminals. The government would no longer receive income from cigarette taxes. Instead, it would cost taxpayers (us) big money for legislation, law inforcement and incarceration.

Answer 7

Will never happen because of the hundreds of millions of dollars that state and federal governments collect on tobacco taxes. In addition to the millions that our lawmakers receive in tobacco lobby dollars. Where do you suppose the state and federal government would do to replace those hundreds of millions in tax dollars? Would they just do without? Hardly. Would they be forced to raise considerably other taxes to compensate? More than likely.

Answer 8

I'm against the smoking Nazis also, but I can't understand why our government allows a harmful addictive substance to be legally sold and addict Americans. It should be against the law. (Yes I'm trying to quit)

Answer 9

I would support a ban on smoking. It is disgusting and a health hazard to smokers and people around smokers.

Answer 10

If they ban it then they can't pretend that taxes on it will pay for stuff. As long as they demonize it people will let them tax it as much as they want.